7:30 AM, Maine Road
The players began arriving in waves, while the coaching staff busied themselves setting up the equipment.
It was genuinely amusing to see a group of big men with sleepy eyes and expressions that looked like they wanted to complain—but didn't dare. Fortunately, the atmosphere remained relaxed.
Richard stood on the edge of the pitch, watching as the players shuffled onto the training ground.
Some were still stretching their stiff muscles, others stifled yawns, clearly battling the lingering grip of sleep.
Early morning training clearly wasn't their favorite routine—but none of them dared voice their complaints. At least, not out loud.
In the past, training sessions usually started at 10:00. But due to Ronaldo's underwhelming physical performance in the last match against Newcastle, Richard had called for an emergency session. In other words, it was time to sharpen the squad's fitness for the next fixture.
Leeds United.
